Moses Nyambalo Phiri

PHIM Gears Up for Inaugural National Public Health Research Dissemination Conference.

FIRST RDC PREPARATORY MEETING.

Lilongwe, Malawi – May 22, 2025.
by
Moses Nyambalo Phiri in collaboration with Dr. Bernard Mvula , Mr. Hamdan Saidi and Settie Kanyanda.

The Research Division of the Public Health Institute of Malawi is set to host its first-ever National Public Health Research Dissemination Conference (RDC) in October 2025, a landmark event aimed at showcasing health research findings, fostering collaboration, and promoting the practical application of knowledge to inform policy and practice.

The conference is a collaborative effort between the Research Division of the Ministry of Health – Public Health Institute of Malawi (MoH-PHIM) and the Clinical Research Education and Management Services (CREAMS), Malawi. The primary objective is to maximize the impact of health research within the nation.

The National RDC is anticipated to convene a broad and influential spectrum of stakeholders. This includes representatives from diverse local and international organizations, key industries, government ministries, esteemed academic and non-academic institutions, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) Malawi and the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST).

WHO, CREAMS and MoH-Research officers present

Recognizing the substantial audience expected, the Coordinating Task Force has methodically developed a range of sponsorship packages to facilitate robust resource mobilization for the conference’s comprehensive activities.

As such, organizations and individuals are invited to support the conference through monetary contributions, provision of technical members for sub-committees, or other forms of resource assistance. Sponsorship packages, ranging from Bronze to Platinum, offer a variety of benefits, including prominent branding, speaking opportunities, complimentary attendance, and the chance to host workshops or roundtables.

PLATNUM

Platinum Sponsors will receive a 10-minute promotional speaking slot before a keynote speaker, plus a 30-minute workshop or roundtable slot on a conference-relevant topic. (N.B prices may be revised).

GOLD

Gold Sponsors will have a 10-minute promotional speaking slot before a parallel session and an individual 15-minute presentation slot in a concurrent session.(N.B prices may be revised).

SILVER

Silver Sponsors are offered a 10-minute promotional speaking slot before a parallel session or an individual 15-minute presentation in a concurrent session. (N.B prices may be revised).

DR. EVELY CHITSA BANDA

Dr. Evelyn Chitsa Banda, the esteemed Guest of Honor, encouraged participants to engage in thorough brainstorming and capitalize on all available opportunities. She concluded the event by expressing her gratitude for the dynamic participation, stating, “Your collective efforts and innovative thinking here today are vital steps that will undeniably put Malawi on the map and secure the well-being of our beloved nation.”

For further information regarding sponsorship or participation, interested parties are encouraged to contact Dr. Bernard Mvula at +265999877398 / bernardmvula@yahoo.com or Dr. Adriano F. Lubanga at +265992744497 / adriano.lubanga@creamsmw.com.

May 23, 2025

CALL FOR APPLICATION: LEAD CONSULTANT: EVALUATION OF MALAWI FRONTLINE FIELD EPIDEMIOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAM (FETP)

LEAD CONSULTANT: EVALUATION OF MALAWI FRONTLINE FIELD EPIDEMIOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAM (FETP)

The Malawi Government through the Ministry of Health established Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) in 2013, as a Centre of Excellence in Public Health. Its primary role is to provide leadership in disease surveillance, research, prevention, and control through generating evidence that informs policy and advances practices in public health service delivery. PHIM is dedicated to strengthening the nation’s capacity in order to respond to a broad spectrum of public health challenges. This includes addressing emerging communicable and non-communicable diseases.

In 2016, PHIM with technical and financial support from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) established the Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP). The program aims to strengthen the epidemiological capacity of the country’s ministries of health, agriculture, and environment in detecting and responding to diseases with epidemic potential or international significance. To date, Malawi’s Frontline FETP has completed 22 cohorts and trained 301 personnel.

Evaluation Background

The implementation of Frontline FETP represents a significant investment for Malawi, its implementing partners, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Since its establishment in 2016, no formal evaluation has been conducted for the Malawi Frontline FETP. The Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) and the US CDC have designed a non-experimental mixed-methods evaluation, using document review, structured questionnaires, site visits, and semi-structured interviews. These methods will be used to answer the following objectives:

Describe best practices and challenges related to implementing the first 22 cohorts of Malawi’s Frontline FETP.
Assess the impact of the involvement of Malawi’s Frontline FETP graduates in public health emergency responses and epidemiologic surveillance capacity (since the start of the program).
Evaluate the effectiveness of Malawi’s Frontline FETP in imparting surveillance and response to public health threats skills.

Scope of Work

The selected consultant(s) will lead the data collection, analysis, report writing, and the dissemination of findings for the evaluation of the Malawi FETP Frontline program.

The lead consultant(s) will be responsible for:

Managing the human resources for this evaluation, including a team of interviewers and a scheduler.
Joining PHIM/CDC evaluation team meetings and providing weekly progress updates to evaluation stakeholders.
Conducting a document review of Malawi FETP documents including, but not limited to:
- Collaborative Technical Assistance Plans (CTAPs),
- knowledge assessments (pre/post quiz)
- cohort exit reports
- completed scorecards/rubrics of graduate field products
- outbreak reports collected by investigation unit
Leading the training of a team of interviewers who will conduct virtual interviews with job supervisors, and outbreak or public health emergency supervisors. The virtual interviews will be conducted over the phone or online (WhatsApp or Zoom).
Leading the training of a team of interviewers who will conduct the in-person interviews and site visits to graduates and work supervisors in Malawi.
About 70% of the total interviews will be conducted virtually, while 30% of the interviews will be conducted in-person (face to face).
Along with the team of interviewers, assist with conducting and overseeing in-person worksite visits and in-person interviews with 90 Malawi FETP graduates (30% of the population).
Conduct semi-structured interviews with Malawi’s FETP staff (Resident Advisor [former and current], Program Director, Program Coordinator, CDC country Director, administrator (s)).
Manage data in relevant data collection software or platform, e.g. ODK or Kobo Tools.
Lead the analysis of data collected using relevant qualitative and statistical analysis software.
Write the final evaluation report in English
Present findings to various stakeholders (PHIM, CDC, Malawi Ministry of Health).

High-level requirements

High level of English language proficiency
More than 5 years of experience managing, coordinating, and conducting evaluations, preferably in the global health field, with cross-cultural teams.
Previous work experience in Southern Africa, preferably in Malawi.
Demonstrated experience using both quantitative and qualitative methods
Demonstrated experience using survey platforms (i.e., Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, ODK, etc.), qualitative analysis software (i.e., ATLAS.ti, MaxQDA, NVIVO, etc.), and quantitative analysis software (i.e., R, Stata, etc.).
Detail-oriented, strategic, and a positive attitude towards dealing with setbacks and obstacles.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to interact professionally with culturally diverse individuals.
Preferably based in Southern Africa but not required.

MODE OF APPLICATION

Please submit a 1-page letter of interest, your CV(s), and a budget proposal (including the number of days necessary to complete the evaluation) to: grace.funsani@health.gov.mw, or ajuya@itech-malawi.org by 11th June 2025. This will be a deliverable-based consultancy.

May 21, 2025

Malawi Association Of Medical Labolatory Scientist 8th Annual General Conference.

MAMLS ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE.

Blantyre, Malawi –May 8th , 2025.
by
Moses Nyambalo Phiri in collaboration with Happy Abraham Manda, Henry Limula and Settie Kanyanda.

On May 8, 2025, the Malawi Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (MAMLS) convened its 8th Annual General Conference at the Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre. The central theme of this year’s conference was “Enhancing Access to Diagnostics for All Malawians.“

Conference Highlights and Key Discussions
The conference emphasized the critical need for increased innovation and investment in diagnostic services, with a strong focus on expanding access to rural and underserved areas. MAMLS advocated for bringing high quality laboratory services closer to communities to ensure accurate diagnoses and improve healthcare delivery across Malawi. The conference was officially opened by Mr. Joseph Bitilinyu Bangoh, Deputy Director of the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM), responsible for the National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL).

About MAMLS
Founded on February 11, 1998, MAMLS is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting and safeguarding the interests of medical laboratory science professionals and patients in Malawi. The organization operates independently, free from political, religious, ethnic, or sub regional influences. MAMLS plays a vital role in promoting cooperation among medical laboratory scientists, standardizing professional practices, and facilitating capacity development, all aimed at improving the quality of medical laboratory services, training, and education in the country.

PHIM’s Participation and Presentations
The Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) was a key participant in the conference. Dr. Godfrey Kadewere, former Director of Health Technical Services, and Mr. Joseph Bitilinyu Bangoh of PHIM both delivered speeches encouraging laboratory personnel to collaborate in disease diagnostics and surveillance. Mr. Bangoh specifically urged laboratory professionals to be proactive during disease outbreaks, citing the recent Mpox pandemic in Malawi as an example.

Mrs. Dorothy Donata Moyo Kalata from the NPHL delivered a presentation detailing PHIM’s development, vision, and mission, as well as the current activities of the NPHL. She highlighted the NPHL’s comprehensive functions, asserting that Malawi will soon no longer need to send samples abroad for testing.

Remarks from MAMLS Leadership and Other Dignitaries
Mr. Confidence Banda, President of MAMLS, echoed the sentiments of previous speakers, emphasizing the laboratory’s foundational role in various health pillars and its indispensable contribution to disease surveillance. He also acknowledged the presence of Professor Kondwani Jambo, the keynote speaker, as an inspiring example for the laboratory science community.

Other notable attendees included Mr. Reuben Mwenda, former Deputy Director of Health Technical Services, and representatives from organizations supporting laboratory services in Malawi, such as the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Malawi University of Maryland School of Medicine – Ciheb, and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES).

Mr Reuben Mwenda and Dr Godfrey Kadewere

Exhibitions and Networking
The conference provided a dynamic environment for participants to interact and exchange ideas. Companies supplying laboratory products in Malawi also had the opportunity to exhibit their offerings, fostering connections within the industry.